Autism Drug Could Help People Talk

Tiny biotech company, Seaside Therapeutics, of Cambridge, Mass., has raised $30 million to pursue an autism drug that would help people with Fragile X and autism communicate better. The effects of the drug are about to be studied in a clinical trial for two groups of patients, some with Fragile X, and CEO Randall L. Carpenter, who has a medical degree, explains that their medication, which controls glutamate signaling in the brain, may enhance individuals’ ability to interact with their environment, reduce irritability and help them remain calm. According to Carpenter, results in their animal models have been promising, and they expect to see results of the study, which is enrolling children as young as 6, in 2010.

Mark Bear, founder of Seaside, is an MIT neuroscientist who has been involved with the creation of drugs that appear to correct abnormal brain development.  Seaside’s funds come from an unnamed family investment firm that has provided the bulk of the money raised to date and that is committed to funding autism and Fragile X research. Read more here and in Seaside’s press release.

Photo courtesy of walknboston (flickr.com)

•      •      •

I like the color and texture of this puzzle piece. It’s ambiguous. Is it the sea? A piece of sky with some green leaves? Or part of a verdigris building detail?

•      •      •